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No. 76 October 1993
HEALTH STATUS OF BLACKS
IN NORTH CAROLINA
by
Kathryn B. Surles
Karen T. Graham
Delton Atkinson
ABSTRACT
The health status ofNorth Carolina's Black citizens is improving; forexample, infant mortality and death
from heart disease, stroke, nephrius/nephrosis, and non-motor-vehicle unintentional injuries have recently
declined The Black North Carolinian 's risk of death from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and suicide
remains well below that of Whites, and smoking and drinking appear less prevalent among minority females
than others. The gap in life expectancy between White and minority females has also narrowed.
For many of the health indicators examined in this report, however, there remain serious disparities
betweenBlacks andotherNorthCarolinians; forexample, Blacks are experiencinghigh rates oflowbirthweight,
infantandmaternal mortality, birth defects, anddevelopnrientaldisabihty. Thesehighratesparallel high andrising
rates of Black teenage pregnancy, repeat teenage pregnancy, and births out of wedlock. Black mothers also
are more likely than others to have late or no prenatal care.
In the mortality area, Blacks are experiencing high rates of death from heart disease, cancer, stroke,
diabetes, chronic liver disease/cirrhosis, nephritis/nephrosis, AIDS, unintentional injuries, and homicide. High
rates of hypertension and alcohol use among Black decedents also are observed. And the Black North
Carolinian's risk of death from diabetes, liver disease/cirrhosis, and homicide is rising.
This study also reveals high incidences of site-specific cancer and very high and rising rates of AIDS,
syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia among Blacks. Further, sample surveys reveal high prevalences among
Blacks of behaviors and lifestyles that contribute to morbidity and premature mortality.
Both a national initiative, Healthy People 2000, and a corresponding North Carolina initiative, Healthy
Carolinians 2000, offer a vision for the 21st Century. That vision is characterized by "... greatly reduced
disparities in the health status ofpopulations within our society."Toward that goal, the present report provides
baseline (1990) data and recent trends fora number ofthe national health objectives for Blacks. This report also
points up certain data deficiencies that need to be addressed (see Conclusion) and suggests that one means to
that end is a periodic statewide survey that oversamples minority populations, at least Blacks and Native
Americans.

No. 76 October 1993
HEALTH STATUS OF BLACKS
IN NORTH CAROLINA
by
Kathryn B. Surles
Karen T. Graham
Delton Atkinson
ABSTRACT
The health status ofNorth Carolina's Black citizens is improving; forexample, infant mortality and death
from heart disease, stroke, nephrius/nephrosis, and non-motor-vehicle unintentional injuries have recently
declined The Black North Carolinian 's risk of death from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and suicide
remains well below that of Whites, and smoking and drinking appear less prevalent among minority females
than others. The gap in life expectancy between White and minority females has also narrowed.
For many of the health indicators examined in this report, however, there remain serious disparities
betweenBlacks andotherNorthCarolinians; forexample, Blacks are experiencinghigh rates oflowbirthweight,
infantandmaternal mortality, birth defects, anddevelopnrientaldisabihty. Thesehighratesparallel high andrising
rates of Black teenage pregnancy, repeat teenage pregnancy, and births out of wedlock. Black mothers also
are more likely than others to have late or no prenatal care.
In the mortality area, Blacks are experiencing high rates of death from heart disease, cancer, stroke,
diabetes, chronic liver disease/cirrhosis, nephritis/nephrosis, AIDS, unintentional injuries, and homicide. High
rates of hypertension and alcohol use among Black decedents also are observed. And the Black North
Carolinian's risk of death from diabetes, liver disease/cirrhosis, and homicide is rising.
This study also reveals high incidences of site-specific cancer and very high and rising rates of AIDS,
syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia among Blacks. Further, sample surveys reveal high prevalences among
Blacks of behaviors and lifestyles that contribute to morbidity and premature mortality.
Both a national initiative, Healthy People 2000, and a corresponding North Carolina initiative, Healthy
Carolinians 2000, offer a vision for the 21st Century. That vision is characterized by "... greatly reduced
disparities in the health status ofpopulations within our society."Toward that goal, the present report provides
baseline (1990) data and recent trends fora number ofthe national health objectives for Blacks. This report also
points up certain data deficiencies that need to be addressed (see Conclusion) and suggests that one means to
that end is a periodic statewide survey that oversamples minority populations, at least Blacks and Native
Americans.